As Jews around the world mourn those who were killed during the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack, anti-Israel student groups are planning a “Week of Rage” across college campuses — sickening those in the Jewish community.
The Oct. 7 to 11 protests pushed by Students for Justice in Palestine come as Jewish groups hold memorial events for last year’s massacre, and as about 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.
The “Week of Rage” is also during the holiest days of the Jewish year, culminating with Yom Kippur on Oct. 11-12.
“Oct. 7 is obviously going to be a day of remembrance for those in the Jewish community and those who care about fighting terrorism,” Peggy Shukur, of the Anti-Defamation League’s East Division which includes New England, told the Herald.
“But groups on campuses are engaging in anti-Israel events throughout the entire anniversary week, glorifying Hamas and glorifying the attacks,” Shukur added. “It boggles the mind that on a day that should be sacred to remember the atrocities, there are people glorifying it.”
College students have rallied and protested on campuses for the last year over the Israel-Hamas war. Some pro-Palestine protests have become disruptive, and police have been called in to take down encampments.
Now, the National Students for Justice in Palestine are planning the Oct. 7 to 11 protests to “mark a year of genocide in Gaza.”
“For over 11 months now, the Zionist entity, with the backing of the U.S. and our universities, has committed a horrific assault on the nearly 2 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip,” the group posted. “Since the start of this genocide, the people of Gaza have continued to stand steadfast, resilient, and unwavering in the face of these crimes. It is for them that we rise.”
“For a year, we have risen, and for Gaza, we will continue to rise no matter how long it takes,” National SJP added. “We will rise to end our universities’ complicity in this genocide, to fight for the end of the colonization of Palestine, and to fight for the complete liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea.”
The ADL says the rallying cry, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” is an antisemitic slogan. It’s a call for a Palestinian state extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, territory that includes the state of Israel, which would mean the dismantling of the Jewish state.
Ahead of the Oct. 7-11 protests, the ADL is calling on colleges to create safety plans for protests and protect Jewish students.
“We cannot allow this school year to be marred by the same violence and disorder as last year,” the ADL wrote. “Your voice is crucial. Let’s ensure a peaceful and respectful campus environment for everyone. Urge our college’s leadership to take immediate action to safeguard student safety and firmly stand against these antisemitic disruptions.”
Ahead of the fall semester at Harvard, university officials wrote to students about the rules for using campus spaces for protests.
“As President Garber affirmed in his message yesterday, we strongly embrace the right to freedom of thought, open inquiry, and free expression, including the right to protest and dissent, as laid out in our University-wide Statement on Rights and Responsibilities,” Executive VP Meredith Weenick wrote. “The University-wide Statement also makes clear that this right is not limitless – it may not be exercised in a manner that obstructs the ability of other members of the Harvard community to engage in the activities that sustain our mission.”
If the protests violate Harvard’s policies or rules, the students will be asked to stop or adjust their activities.
“Continued engagement in an activity that is disruptive or otherwise violates Harvard’s policies or rules may be captured digitally, and participants should be prepared to be held accountable for their actions, including by referral to appropriate school-based disciplinary processes,” the university official wrote. “Where there is substantial disruption of the normal operations of our campus, University police may remove or remediate the disruption.”
Meanwhile at Boston University on Oct. 7, there will be an event featuring the former president of the Harvard Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, Wendy Pearlman. The ADL “Campus Crisis Alert” newsletter highlighted this event that’s called, “The University After October 7.”
A BU spokesperson said the discussion is being sponsored by the Institute on Culture, Religion & World Affairs, and not the university itself.
“In the aftermath of the attacks of October 7, 2023 and ongoing violence and suffering, what can academic disciplines contribute?” reads the event description. “How do we think about research, writing, and teaching in relation to the violence in Israel and Palestine? Distinguished guest Wendy Pearlman and BU panelists consider the role of the University in our time.”
